Pioneers plow by Cowboys

LEHI — About two minutes of jitters to open the game gave way to an offensive flurry by the Lehi Pioneers as they roped Grantsville 59-35 in the first round of the 3A girls' basketball tournament.

"Obviously we shot the ball well right from the get-go," said Lehi coach Michael O'Connor. "But if we're going to make it any further we have to cut the turnovers."

His team mixed defenses up early then found the rhythm and built the lead behind 14 first-quarter points by team leader Michelle Harisson, who nailed two 3-pointers in the first eight minutes. Lehi found itself behind 4-3 before shaking off the rust and running out to the 19-4 lead at the end of the period. The Pioneers extended their scoring streak into the second quarter as they went on a 19-0 run and took all upset hopes away from the Cowboys.

Harrison wasn't only dominant offensively, she played a solid all-around game with 11 rebounds, six assists, six steals and four blocked shots to go with her game-high 27 points. One of her biggest plays of the night came in the second quarter as she blocked Grantsville team leader Jordan Chaney, after which Chaney only managed three more of her seven total points.

Lehi pushed the ball up the court to break the Grantsville defensive pressure, said O'Connor. "You have to adjust and take advantage of what the other teams are doing to you. It's a chess match."

Harrison seemed unstoppable through the first half as she dropped in 20 points, but she went down hard with 30 seconds left in the half and left the game. She was back strong to start the second half, not scoring so much as creating opportunities for her teammates.

One teammate that took advantage of her scoring opportunities was Andrea Durrant, who finished with 16 points. The game was virtually over after three quarters as Lehi led 44-22, but the Cowboys were finally able to find their shots. Breckin Hale dropped in eight of her team-high 12 points for Grantsville in the fourth quarter. She hit three of the Cowboys' five total treys. Lehi starter Tara Asay went down early in the game with an ankle injury and is questionable for the Pioneers playoff game next week against Pine View in the second round.

BASKETBALL

3A PLAYOFFS

NORTH SANPETE 62, OGDEN 57: The Hawks used a big fourth quarter to upset the Tigers. They collected over twice as many rebounds and outscored the Tigers by nine.

CEDAR 59, PARK CITY 51: Anne Westwood had 19 points and 12 rebounds, and Karli Jenson had 10 points and nine assists as the Redmen advanced with their win over the Miners.